Travel and Outdoor Playmat

ABSTRACT

A playmat for receiving and maintaining a plurality of cards in a user-selected configuration comprises a first section and a second section rotatably attached to the first section. Each section comprises a planar support structure configured to receive a plurality of cards. The lengths of the sections and a plurality of rows within each section extend parallel to a common longitudinal axis. Each section comprises a holding structure arranged and configured to clamp the plurality of cards towards the support structure. The length of the holding structure and the height of the rows is selected such that the holding structure can receive and hold at least two non-overlapping cards and the cards can be maintained in the holding structure when in a rotated configuration in which two opposite corners of the card extend along a line parallel with the longitudinal axis.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a playmat for receiving playing cardsin order to maintain the configuration of the cards.

BACKGROUND

When playing with cards outdoors, wind and rain can be a challenge forthe card players. In these situations, it is often required to pack upthe cards.

When playing cards on a train or a bus, in which a game is suddenlyinterrupted e.g. if the train or bus arrives to the final destination,it would also be desirable to have a way to maintain the cardconfiguration so that the game can be continued afterwards.

Accordingly, it would be advantageous to be able to provide a solutionthat makes it possible to interrupt a game and maintain the cardconfiguration so that the game can be continued afterwards.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution thatmakes it possible to interrupt a card playing game and maintain the cardconfiguration so that the game can be continued afterwards.

SUMMARY

The object of the present invention can be achieved by a playmat andsystem.

The playmat according to the invention is a playmat for receiving andmaintaining a plurality of cards, wherein the playmat comprises a firstsection and second section rotatably attached to the first section,wherein each section comprises a planar support structure configured toreceive a plurality of cards, wherein the length of the sections extendparallel to a common longitudinal axis, wherein each section comprises aplurality of rows extending perpendicular or parallel to thelongitudinal axis, wherein each section comprises a holding structurehaving a length and a height and being arranged and configured to clampthe plurality of cards towards the support structure, wherein the lengthof the holding structure and the height of the rows is selected in sucha manner that:

A) the holding structure can receive and hold at least twonon-overlapping cards andB) the cards can be maintained in the holding structure when in arotated configuration, in which two opposite corners of the card extendalong a line parallel with the longitudinal axis.

Hereby, it is possible to provide a user-friendly playmat that makes itpossible to arrange cards in a card configuration which can bemaintained by means of the playmat. The playmat can be unpacked in afast manner simply by opening the playmat. Accordingly, by means of theplaymat according to the invention it is possible to interrupt a gameand continue the game afterwards simply by closing and opening theplaymat. Moreover, the playmat provides the user large freedom of motionwith respect to the cards which can be rotated when received by theholding structure.

In one embodiment, the playmat is configured to receive and maintain aplurality of cards of up to 63×88 mm.

In one embodiment, the playmat is configured to receive and maintain aplurality of cards of up to 63×88 mm, wherein the cards are arranged ina configuration, in which the length of the cards extends parallel tothe length of the section.

In one embodiment, the playmat is configured to receive and maintain aplurality of cards of up to 63×88 mm, wherein the cards are arranged ina configuration, in which the length of the cards extends perpendicularto the length of the section.

In one embodiment, the playmat is configured to receive and maintain aplurality of cards smaller than 63×88 mm.

In one embodiment, the playmat is configured to receive and maintain aplurality of cards smaller than 63×88 mm, wherein the cards are arrangedin a configuration in which the length of the cards extends parallel tothe length of the section.

In one embodiment, the playmat is configured to receive and maintain aplurality of cards smaller than 63×88 mm, wherein the cards are arrangedin a configuration in which the length of the cards extendsperpendicular to the length of the section.

In one embodiment, the playmat is configured to receive and maintain aplurality of cards larger than 63×88 mm.

In one embodiment, the playmat is configured to receive and maintain aplurality of cards larger than 63×88 mm, wherein the cards are arrangedin a configuration in which the length of the cards extends parallel tothe length of the section.

In one embodiment, the playmat is configured to receive and maintain aplurality of cards larger than 63×88 mm, wherein the cards are arrangedin a configuration in which the length of the cards extendsperpendicular to the length of the section.

In one embodiment, the holding structure is configured to receive threeor more non-overlapping cards.

In one embodiment, the holding structure is configured to receive fouror more non-overlapping cards.

In one embodiment, the holding structure is configured to receive fiveor more non-overlapping cards.

In one embodiment, the playmat comprises a first section and secondsection rotatably attached to the first section by a one-piece body.

Each section comprises a planar support structure configured to receivea plurality of cards. Hereby, the cards can be maintained in a planarconfiguration.

In one embodiment, the length of the first section extends parallel tothe length of the second section.

In one embodiment, each section comprises a plurality of rows extendingperpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

In one embodiment, each section comprises a plurality of rows extendingparallel to the longitudinal axis.

In one embodiment, each section comprises a resilient or flexibleholding structure having a length and a height and arranged andconfigured to clamp the plurality of cards towards the supportstructure.

In one embodiment, the holding structure comprises a flexible material.By the term “flexible material” is meant a material that can be bent inorder to function as a hinge joint when attached to two separatedstructures. Hereby, it is possible to rotatably attach one structure toanother structure by means of the flexible material.

By ensuring that the length of the holding structure and the height ofthe rows is selected in such a manner that the holding structure canreceive and hold three non-overlapping cards of up to 63×88 mm it ispossible to provide a solution having a desired capacity for receivingand containing cards.

By ensuring that the length of the holding structure and the height ofthe rows is selected in such a manner that the cards can be maintainedin the holding structure when being in a rotated configuration, in whichtwo opposite corners of the card extend along a line being parallel withthe longitudinal axis it is possible to provide a user-friendlysolution, in which the cards can easily be inserted, removed and moved(e.g. rotated) when received by the holding structure.

In one embodiment, the holding structure is made of an elasticallydeformable material. Hereby, it is possible to provide a simple andreliable solution, in which the holding structure can receive andmaintain cards inserted into the holding structure.

In one embodiment, the holding structure extends perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the section.

In one embodiment, the holding structure extends parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the section.

In one embodiment, the first section and the second section comprise tworows.

In one embodiment, the first section and the second section comprisethree rows.

In one embodiment, the first section and the second section comprisefour rows.

In one embodiment, the playmat comprises a third section rotatablyattached to the second section.

In one embodiment, the playmat comprises a third section and a fourthsection, wherein the second section is rotatably attached to the thirdsection, wherein the third section is rotatably attached to the fourthsection.

In one embodiment, the holding structures extend parallel to each other.Hereby, the storage capacity of the playmat can be optimized.

In one embodiment, the holding structures are basically rectangular.This may be an advantage because the most cards have a rectangulargeometry.

In one embodiment, the playmat comprises an elastic band extending atleast partly along the longitudinal axis, wherein the elastic band isarranged and configured to maintain the playmat in a closedconfiguration. Hereby, it is possible to use the elastic band to providea fast, user-friendly and secure closure of the playmat.

In one embodiment, the playmat comprises a resilient member arranged andconfigured to maintain the playmat in a closed configuration whenfolded. Hereby, the resilient member can, in an easy, reliable andsimple manner, be used to keep the playmat closed when folded.

In one embodiment, the playmat comprises a resilient member providedwith numbers and one or more indicators slidably attached to theresilient member. Hereby, it is possible to keep track of the score inan easy manner. Moreover, the resilient member can be used for severalpurposes (e.g., indication of score and locking the playmat whenfolded).

In one embodiment, the resilient member is an elastic band.

In one embodiment, the sections are equally shaped. In one embodiment,the sections are equally sized. Hereby, it is possible to provide asimple and user-friendly playmat, in which each section provides thesame user options.

In one embodiment, the end section is smaller than the first section andthe second section.

In one embodiment, the width of the end section is smaller than thewidth of the first section and the second section.

The system according to the invention is a system comprising a playmataccording to the invention and a number of markers configured to bedetachably attached to a card, wherein the marker is folded together andcomprises two free ends configured to be detachably arranged at eachside of a card.

Hereby, the system can be used in order to attach additional scores tothe cards.

In one embodiment, the holding structure comprises corner portions, inwhich material is removed. Hereby, it is possible to attach the holdingstructure to the support structure by a stitching process and achieve agreat degree of flexibility in the corner region of the holdingstructure.

In one embodiment, the corner portion is formed as an area correspondingto a quarter of a circle.

In one embodiment, the first section and the second section comprisethree rows.

In one embodiment, the flexible separation structure is made of anelastic fabric.

The playmat is designed to allow the cards received by the holdingstructure to be maintained in place even when the wind blows.

The playmat makes it possible to move the playmat (when folded) from onelocation to another location without changing the configuration of thecards. This is a great advantage if weather conditions require a suddenrelocation when the cards are used outside.

The playmat is designed to be folded in such a manner that the cards canbe removably inserted into the holding structures which are hidden andprotected in a safe manner at the inside surface of the playmat.

The playmat is also designed to be folded in such a manner that thecards can be removably inserted into the holding structures which areexposed on the outside. Accordingly, the playmat is configured to beused when not much space is available (it can be used in very crampedconditions).

In one embodiment, the support structure comprises an inner layer (theinside surface of the support structure) made of fabric.

In one embodiment, the support structure comprises an inner layer madeof duchesse satin.

In one embodiment, the support structure comprises an inner layer madeof black duchesse satin.

In one embodiment, the playmat comprises a binding material (the outsidesurface of the playmat) made of polyurethane.

In one embodiment, the holding structure is made of an elasticthermoplastic polyurethane.

In one embodiment, the holding structure is made of a clear and elasticthermoplastic polyurethane.

In one embodiment, the holding structure is made of a thermoplasticpolyurethane having a thickness in the range of 100-500 μm.

In one embodiment, the holding structure is made of a thermoplasticpolyurethane having a thickness in the range of 200-400 μm.

In one embodiment, the holding structure is made of a thermoplasticpolyurethane having a thickness in the range of 250-350 μm.

In one embodiment, the holding structure is made of a thermoplasticpolyurethane having a thickness of 300 μm.

In one embodiment, a layer of cardboard is provided between the innerlayer and the binding material (the outside surface) of the supportstructure. Hereby, it is possible to enhance the mechanical stiffness.

In one embodiment, the upper edge of the holding structure is arranged anon-zero distance from the underlying support structure, wherein thenon-zero distance is larger than the thickness of the card.

In one embodiment, the support structure is compressible so that a cardcan easily be received by the holding structure. This can be achieved bypressing down support structure when inserting the card into the holdingstructure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will become more fully understood from the detaileddescription given herein below. The accompanying drawings are given byway of illustration only, and thus, they are not limitative of thepresent invention. In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1A shows the inside of a playmat according to the invention;

FIG. 1B shows the playmat shown in FIG. 1A in a closed configuration;

FIG. 2A shows a playmat 2 according to the invention. The playmatbasically corresponds to the one shown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2B shows the playmat shown in FIG. 2A seen from the side;

FIG. 3 shows the playmat shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B seen from outside;

FIG. 4A shows a card and four markers attached to the card;

FIG. 4B shows a plurality of markers each attached to an adjacentmarker;

FIG. 5 shows a plurality of markers inserted into a holding structure ofa second section of a playmat according to the invention;

FIG. 6A shows a side view (the long side) of a playmat according to theinvention in a closed configuration;

FIG. 6B shows a front view of the playmat shown in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6C shows a front view (the short side) of the playmat shown in FIG.6A and in FIG. 6B;

FIG. 7A shows a side view of a playmat according to the invention in aclosed configuration;

FIG. 7B shows a front view of the playmat shown in FIG. 7A;

FIG. 7C shows a front view of the playmat shown in FIG. 7A and in FIG.7B;

FIG. 8 shows a playmat shown in FIG. 7A;

FIG. 9A shows a first view of a playmat according to the invention and

FIG. 9B shows a second view of a playmat shown in FIG. 9A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now in detail to the drawings for the purpose of illustratingpreferred embodiments of the present invention, a playmat 2 of thepresent invention is illustrated in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1A illustrates the inside of a playmat 2 according to theinvention. The playmat 2 comprises a first section 4 and a secondsection 6 interconnected by a flexible and/or bendable separationstructure 28. The separation structure 28 allows the playmat 2 to befolded so that the first section 4 and the second section 6 are broughtinto a configuration in which the second section 6 is brought intocontact with and covers the first section 4. The separation structure 28may be made of an elastic fabric. The first section 4 and second section6 comprise planar support structures 8.

The playmat 2 comprises an end section 16 rotatably attached to thefirst section 4. This means that the end section 16 is configured to bebrought into a configuration in which the end section 16 is brought intocontact with the first section 4 or alternatively is brought intocontact with the outside portion of the second section 6 (if the secondsection is brought into contact with the first section 4).

Both the first section 4 and the second section 6 comprise three rows20, 20′, 20″. Each of the rows 20, 20′, 20″ is configured to receive andmaintain a plurality of cards 10 in a fixed position. This can beaccomplished by means of the holding structure 12 that extendsperpendicular to the length of the sections 4, 6.

The playmat 2 is configured to receive and maintain a plurality of cards10. Accordingly, the cards 10 may be arranged in a user-selectedconfiguration.

The length of the sections 4, 6 extends parallel to a commonlongitudinal axis Y. It can be seen that the plurality of rows 20, 20′,20′ extends parallel to the longitudinal axis Y. Each section 4, 6comprises a holding structure 12 having a length L₄ and a height H₁,H′₁, H″₁ (see FIG. 2A). Each holding structure 12 is arranged andconfigured to clamp the plurality of cards 10 towards the supportstructure 8. The holding structures 12 extend parallel to the width axisX indicated.

The length L₄ of the holding structure 12 and the height of the rows 20,20′, 20″ is selected in such a manner that:

A) the holding structure 12 can receive and hold three non-overlappingcards of up to 63×88 mm andB) the cards 10 can be maintained in the holding structure 12 when beingin a rotated configuration, in which two opposite corners C₁, C₃ of thecard 10 extend along a line being parallel with the longitudinal axis Y.Hereby, it is possible to provide a user-friendly playmat 2 that enablesa large freedom of motion with respect to the cards 10.

It is important to underline that the dimensions of the playmat 2 can beselected differently in order to make the playmat 2 fit to cards smalleror larger than 63×88 mm.

The cards 10 have a length L₁ that is up to 88 mm. It can be seen thatthe diameter L₂ of the cards 10 is shorter than the distance L₃ betweenthe bottom portion of a holding structure 12 and the bottom portion ofthe above-arranged holding structure 12. Accordingly, the card 10 can berotated without colliding with the above-arranged holding structure 12.

It can be seen that the length L₄ of the holding structure 12 is greaterthan three times the width of the card 10. Therefore, the holdingstructure 12 can receive and hold three non-overlapping cards 10, suchas the ones illustrated in FIG. 1A. Since there are three rows 20, 20′,20″ in each of the two sections 4, 6, the playmat can contain 18 cardsin total.

The playmat can be of great value if a game is suddenly interrupted e.g.because it starts raining or if the train or bus arrives to the finaldestination. The playmat 2 can be packed up in a fast manner and thecard configuration can be maintained. Accordingly, the game can becontinued afterwards simply by opening the playmat 2.

The holding structure 12 is provided with corner portion 18, in whichmaterial is removed (an area corresponding to a quarter of a circle).Hereby, it is possible to attach the holding structure 12 to the supportstructure 8 by a stitching process and achieve a great degree offlexibility in the corner region of the holding structure 12.

In one embodiment, the upper edge of the holding structure 12 isarranged a non-zero distance from the underlying support structure 8,wherein the non-zero distance is larger than the thickness of the card.

In one embodiment, the support structure 8 is compressible so that acard 10 can easily be received by the holding structure 12. This can beachieved by pressing down support structure 8 when inserting the card 10into the holding structure 12.

The holding structure 12 is made of at least partly transparent materialso that the card can be seen through the holding structure 12. In apreferred embodiment, the holding structure 12 is made of an elasticmaterial that regains its original geometry when a deformation object(e.g. a plurality of cards) is removed from the holding structure 12.

The end section 16 is rotatably attached to the first section 4 by meansof a flexible/bendable separation structure 26. The end section 16comprises a counting structure 14 provided with a list of numbers andtwo slideably arranged indicators 22, 22′ each comprising a protrudingportion 24, 24′ protruding in different directions so that one can tellthe difference between the indicators 22, 22′. The first indicator 22surrounds the number 10 indicating the score of a first player, whereinthe second indicator 22′ surrounds the number 5 indicating the score ofa second player. The indicators 22, 22′ are configured to slide alongthe length of the counting structure 14 that extends parallel to thelongitudinal axis Y.

It is important to stress that the end section 16 may comprise acounting structure 14 without any numbers. In fact, a version withoutany numbers and without any slideably arranged indicators is shown inFIG. 9A.

FIG. 1B illustrates the playmat 2 shown in FIG. 1A in a closedconfiguration.

FIG. 2A illustrates a playmat 2 according to the invention. The playmat2 basically corresponds to the one shown in FIG. 1A and thus thereference numbers correspond to equal or equivalent elements. All cards10 except for one card 10 have, however, been removed. Moreover, onlythe lower portion of the counting structure 14 is complete since the topportion thereof is not shown.

FIG. 2A shows the width W₁ of the first separation structure 28 and thewidth W₂ of the second separation structure 28. Moreover, the widths W₃,W₄, W₅ are indicated in FIG. 2A. Likewise, the heights H₁, H′₁, H″₁ ofthe holding structures 12 are shown. Moreover, the heights H₃, H′₃, H″₃of the rows 20, 20′, 20″, respectively, are shown. Finally, the heightsH₂, H′₂, H″₂ of the portion of each row 20, 20′, 20″ that is not coveredby a holding structure 12 are indicated. The total height of thesections 4, 6 is also shown.

In one embodiment, W₃ is 100 mm.

In one embodiment, W₄ is 230 mm.

In one embodiment, W₅ is 230 mm.

In one embodiment, H₄ is 360 mm.

It can be seen that the rows 20, 20′, 20″ are equally shaped and sized.Accordingly, the following equations are fulfilled:

H ₁ =H′ ₁ =H″ ₁  (1)

H ₂ =H′ ₂ =H″ ₂  (2)

H ₃ =H′ ₃ =H″ ₃  (3)

FIG. 2B illustrates the playmat 2 shown in FIG. 2A seen from the side.It can be seen that the separation structures 26, 28 are thinner thanthe sections 4, 6. In a preferred embodiment, the separation structures26, 28 are made of a flexible material.

FIG. 3 illustrates the playmat 2 shown in FIG. 2A and in FIG. 2B seenfrom outside. This means that the playmat 2 shown in FIG. 2A has beenturned around (rotated 180 degrees) with respect to the longitudinalaxis of the playmat 2. The playmat 2 is in an open configuration.

FIG. 4A illustrates a card 10 and four markers 30, 30′ attached to thecard 10. Each marker 30, 30′ is detachably attached to the card 10. Thecentral portions on each side of the contacting portions of the markers30, 30′ are glued together, wherein no glue is provided at the free endsof the folded marker 30, 30′. Accordingly, markers 30, 30′ are providedwith free ends configured to be detachably arranged at each side of acard 10 like shown in FIG. 4A. The markers 30, 30′ indicate a numberthat can indicate an additional score of the card 10.

FIG. 4B illustrates a plurality of markers 30, 30′ each attached to anadjacent marker 30, 30′.

The markers 30, 30′ can be separated from each other before they areattached to a card 10. In one embodiment, perforations are providedbetween adjacent markers 30, 30′.

In FIG. 5 a plurality of markers 30, 30′ are inserted into a holdingstructure 12 of a second section 6 of a playmat according to theinvention.

FIG. 6A illustrates a side view (the long side) of a playmat 2 accordingto the invention in a closed configuration. The playmat 2 corresponds tothe one shown in FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B and FIG. 3.

FIG. 6B illustrates a front view of the playmat 2 shown in FIG. 6A,whereas FIG. 6C illustrates a front view (the short side) of the playmat2 shown in FIG. 6A and in FIG. 6B.

It can be seen that the first separation structure 28 is arced herebyallowing the first section 4 to be brought into contact with the secondsection 6. Likewise, the second separation structure 26 is arced herebyallowing the second section 6 to be brought into contact with the endsection 16.

FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B and FIG. 7C illustrate different views of a playmat 2according to the invention in a closed configuration. The playmat 2basically corresponds to the one shown in FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B and FIG. 6C,however, the playmat 2 does not comprise any indicator like the oneshown in FIG. 6B and FIG. 6C.

FIG. 8 illustrates the playmat 2 shown in FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B and FIG. 7C.It can be seen that the playmat 2 does not comprise any indicator likethe one shown in FIG. 6B and FIG. 6C.

FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B illustrate different views of a playmat 2 accordingto the invention in an open configuration. The playmat 2 basicallycorresponds to the one shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, however, theplaymat 2 neither comprises any indicator nor any numbers (on thecounting structure) like the playmat 2 shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   -   2 Playmat    -   4 Section    -   6 Section    -   8 Support structure    -   10 Card    -   12 Holding structure    -   14 Counting structure    -   16 End section    -   18 Corner portion    -   20, 20′, 20″ Row    -   22, 22′ Indicator    -   24, 24′ Protruding portion    -   26 Separation structure    -   28 Separation structure    -   30, 30′ Marker    -   L₁, L₂, L₃, L₄ Length    -   H₁, H′₁, H″₁ Height    -   H₂, H′₂, H″₂ Height    -   H₃, H′₃, H″₃, H₄ Height    -   W₁, W₂, W₃, W₄, W₅ Width    -   C₁, C₂ Corner

1. (canceled)
 2. The playmat according to claim 11, wherein the holdingstructure is made of an elastically deformable material.
 3. The playmataccording to claim 11, wherein the first section and the second sectioncomprise three rows of holding structures.
 4. The playmat according toclaim 11, wherein the holding structures extend parallel to each other.5. The playmat according to claim 11, wherein the holding structures arebasically rectangular.
 6. (canceled)
 7. (canceled)
 8. The playmataccording to claim 11, wherein the first and second sections are equallysized.
 9. The playmat according to claim 11, wherein the end section issmaller than the first section and the second section.
 10. A systemcomprising a playmat according to claim 11 and a number of markersconfigured to be detachably attached to a card, wherein each of themarkers is folded together and comprises two free ends configured to bedetachably arranged at each side of a card.
 11. A playmat for receivingand maintaining a plurality of playing cards, the playmat comprising: afirst section and a second section rotatably attached to the firstsection, each of the first and second sections comprising a planarsupport structure and a plurality of holding structures configured inrows and extending parallel to the plane of the support structure; andan end section rotatably attached to the first section by a flexibleseparation structure, the end section comprising an elastic bandextending at least partly along an axis parallel to the flexibleseparation structure, wherein the elastic band comprises slideablyattached indicators configured to slide along a length of the elasticstructure.
 12. The playmat according to claim 11, wherein the holdingstructure comprises corner portions, in which material is removed, thecorner portions corresponding to quarter circles.
 13. The systemaccording to claim 10, wherein the markers indicate a numbercorresponding to an additional score of the card.
 14. The systemaccording to claim 10, wherein the markers are separated from each otherbefore they are attached to the card.
 15. The system according to claim10, wherein perforations are provided between adjacent markers.
 16. Thesystem according to claim 10, wherein the markers are configured to beinserted into a holding structure of a section of the playmat.